A:  If you decide to become a patient of ours, we will first have you sign a consent form.  This requires your previous office to release your records to us.  All you need to do is sign the consent form, and we will take care of the rest!  It is best to sign the consent form prior to your first appointment, as there may be crucial information such as x-rays that we may need for your appointment.  

A: The first appointment for an adult is usually about an hour long. During the initial visit we need to take several x-rays of your teeth in order to give an accurate diagnosis. If we have recent x-rays from your previous office, we can use those, but if they are over a year old, we usually need to take new ones.

The first appointment also involves filling out a periodontal chart for your mouth. This involves taking measurements of the pockets between your teeth and gums to determine whether your teeth and gums are healthy, or if there is gum disease present. We may also take intra-oral photographs of your teeth and specific areas of concern to better explain to you the conditions present in your mouth.

For children, the initial exam takes only about twenty minutes to half an hour depending on the age of the child. It is a good idea to bring your children to the dentist early on so they can familiarize themselves with the office and the dentist. We normally do not take x-rays on children unless there is a specific area of concern. We also do not take measurements of the gums for children because their gum tissue hasn’t had time to form pockets between the teeth.

A: After the dentist has made a diagnosis, we will make a treatment plan for your specific needs. Based on these needs we will make future appointments at your convenience and personal schedule to accommodate you as best we can. Normally, the first appointment after the initial exam is to have your teeth cleaned. This can be done the same day as your exam, or we can have you come back at a later date. Usually, depending on the condition of your teeth and gums, a hygiene appointment takes about 45minutes to an hour. For patients who are suffering periodontal disease, hygiene appointments will take longer and can often be spread out over the course of two to three appointments depending on the severity of the case.

A: Appointment times are reserved specifically for you and we ask you to notify our office two business days in advance so that we may offer that time to another patient who is in need of treatment.
While we understand that unexpected things do happen, we would like to count on your assistance in this regard. We reserve the right to charge a short notice cancellation or missed appointment fee of $50.00. We also reserve the right to release a patient from our care if more than three (3) appointments are missed without cancellation notice.

We are a fee for service provider. Payment for professional services is due at the time dental treatment is provided. For the convenience of our patients, we accept Debit, MasterCard, Visa, or cash.

A:  We are a fee for service clinic, and do not accept assignment of benefits from any insurance company. However, we will gladly submit your claims electronically to your primary insurance on your behalf; providing your insurance company accepts electronic claims, and you must bring your insurance info/ID to your first appointment.  Any reimbursement by your insurance company is made directly to you according to the terms of your contract with them. Please inform our office of any insurance changes or restrictions. We base treatment recommendations on your individual oral health needs and not on private insurance coverage. It is the patient’s responsibility to monitor any insurance limits they may have, and advise their doctor or hygienist of any preferences.